Plastic Surgery Solves Deformity Problems in Tanzania

While many view plastic surgery as exclusively cosmetic and usually frivolous, Dr. Subramania Iyer claims that plastic surgeons can solve a variety of physical problems from congenital deformities to accidental deformities like burns and crashes.

Professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Amritha Hospital in Cochin, India, Iyer is currently a visiting surgeon at Sanitas Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“Even the management of obese and diabetic people can greatly be helped by plastic surgery procedures,” Iyer explained to AllAfrica.com.

Even cosmetic procedures can make the daily lives of patients easier by improving the functionality of certain body areas.

“For example, patients with large breasts often do have problems other than appearance, as many suffer from severe backlashes and are incapacitated,” Iyer told AllAfrica.com.

Iyer has performed a number of breast reduction surgeries in both women and men. The issue of large breasts sometimes occurs in men, usually linked to diet.

Some patients have nose deformities which lead to severe nasal blocks. Rhinoplasty can correct nasal blocks as well as enhance body image if desired.

Children with cleft lip and palate tend to need plastic surgery in order lead normal healthy lives as adults. While the ideal time to undergo such procedures is early in life, Iyer claims that these cases can be correct at any age.

Diabetes is another severe health risk, which can lead to loss of sensations in the feet or injuries that that can lead to amputation of one or both feet. Iyer recently performed a plastic surgery procedure that saved a diabetes patient’s foot.

“Breast cancer is also showing alarming trends of increase and surgical removal of breasts still plays a major role in its treatment,” Iyer explained to AllAfrica.com. “Loss of breasts can cause devastating psychological trauma to the patient. Plastic reconstructive surgery using the patient’s own tissue either immediately or after the whole cancer treatment is over restores confidence in the patient to lead a near normal social life.”

Iyer has performed 14 successful plastic reconstructive surgeries over two visits to Sanitas Hospital in Tanzania. According to Sanitas CEO Murthy Venkateswaran, the hospital offers these surgical treatments for a fraction of the cost overseas.

“It is time to remember that plastic surgery is not just for appearance,” Iyer commented to AllAfrica.com. “It can also make a huge difference [in] your daily life. But you will look good too! Our institution is about ‘Keeping Africa Healthy’ and we are truly interested in improving lives for the better. So plastic surgery can bring a new hope for Tanzanians whose bodies have been deformed by various reasons. I have attended a number of cases and the patients have a new hope. I will return again in October [or] November to help Tanzanians who need this service.”

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